During times of economic crisis and budget shortfalls, governments often intervene in a myriad of ways at the local level with budget cuts and short-term policy interventions. Rarely are these interventions planned in terms of their longer-term consequences or coordinated effectively across interest groups, however. The issues and challenges facing local communities are often complex and require a more holistic approach.
This book provides concrete advice to policymakers at both national and local levels on how to better align policies, reduce duplication and waste, and "do more with less." Based on comparative analysis of 11 countries in Australasia, Europe, and North America, it combines comparative rankings on the integration of employment, skills, and economic development policies, with concrete examples of successful policy integration on the ground.